Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I setup multiple directories for each file area?
  • What is the Extended FILES.BBS format?
  • After attempting to download, "No files found" is displayed.
  • After a file has been uploaded, ProBoard reports no files were received.
  • What alternatives are available to the supplied Local FTP PEX?
  • What converts HDD format files.bbs into a CDRom format files.bbs?
  • What utilities are used to manage File Area configuration?
  • How do I make the File Area headers colored?
  • How do I skip the CDRom when searching for new files.

  • Click on this anytime, anywhere to Return to Top of Page How do I setup multiple directories for each file area?

    Create a file in your ProBoard system directory called FA_ .CTL, where 'area' is the number of the file area you are working on. This number should _not_ have any leading zeroes. This is a plain ASCII text file which consists of all directories you want included in the file area, one per line, without a trailing backslash.

    Enter the full path to this control file, including the name, in the "File Location" entry in ProCFG's File Area configuration for this area.

    Create a master file list for all directories in the extended FILES.BBS format and put its full path in the "Listing File" entry in ProCFG for that area.

    Run PBUTIL FI and you are ready to roll.

    - The following example is provided by Branislav Slantchev! -

    Installing Multiply Directories for each File Area
    Assuming you have following setup :
    • ProBoard is installed in 'C:\PB'
    • The CDROM drive is 'E:' and the directories we want to include in one file area are called 'GAMES1', 'GAMES2', 'GAMES3' and 'GAMES4'.
    • We store our file listings in 'C:\PB\LISTS'.
    • The file area we want to create is number 45.
    • You have a FILES.BBS file in each directory on the CDROM and it is in the required format.
    The sequence of steps to take:
    1. With a straight ASCII editor (EDIT, QEDIT, BOXER, etc.), open a file and type the following:
      E:\GAMES1
      E:\GAMES2
      E:\GAMES3
      E:\GAMES4
    2. Save the file as 'C:\PB\FA_45.CTL'
    3. Execute the following commands (yes, they can be shorter) :
      copy /b e:\games1\files.bbs + e:\games2\files.bbs c:\file.tm1
      copy /b e:\games3\files.bbs + e:\games4\files.bbs c:\file.tm2
      copy /b c:\file.tm1+ c:\file.tm2 c:\pb\lists\files.45
      del c:\file.tm?
    4. We chose the name 'FILES.45' arbitrarily, it can be anything.
    5. Change directory to 'C:\PB', run PROCFG and choose File Areas.
    6. In the configuration for file area number 45, hit enter.
    7. In the File Location slot put : C:\PB\FA_45.CTL
    8. In the File Listing Location slot put : C:\PB\LISTS\FILES.45
    9. For ProBoard v2.10+, set the FILES.BBS date format to MM/DD/YY and the 'Copy Local' flag to 'Yes'.
      You're done with ProBoard v2.10+!

    ProBoard v2.01 or older
    Substitute these instructions for item 9. above.
    Set the 'CDROM area' flag to 'Yes'.
    Save the configuration and exit PROCFG.
    Run 'PBUTIL FI' to update your file index.
    You're done with ProBoard v2.01 or older!

    Click on this anytime, anywhere to Return to Top of Page What is the Extended FILES.BBS format?

    - The following information is provided by Branislav Slantchev! -

    filename.ext size date description
    filename.... - standard 8 characters
    ext............. - standard 3 characters
    size............ - file size (in bytes, no commas)
    date........... - file date, usually MM-DD-YY
    description - text description of the file

    This basic line can contain a download counter between the 'date' and 'description' entries. The text description may span across multiple lines, but the first character of each line should be either a space, tab, '!', '+' or ';' (you can read about these on page 124 of the User's Manual).

    Usually, most CDROMs for BBS usage come file FILES.BBS already on the disk. Most of the time, however, they are not in the required format. If they are not, you can use a program like the freeware PBCD to create the file listings for you. When you have the FILES.BBS for each directory ready, simply concatenate them into one big file. You can use the 'copy' command to do this.

    Click on this anytime, anywhere to Return to Top of Page After attempting to download, "No files found" is displayed.

    This is a common error caused by trying to use the File Base after making changes to it and not reindexing it. Then an attempt is made to download files after they have been tagged, only to find an error "No files found" waiting for you!

    Reindexing the File Base after changes are made to it, will insure that the File Base will reflect its current status at all times, making all authorized files available for downloading upon demand!

    Simply include reindexing in your main operating batch file to automate this function!

    The proper syntax for reindexing the File Base is: PBUTIL FI

    Click on this anytime, anywhere to Return to Top of Page After a file has been uploaded, ProBoard reports that no files were received.

    If you have set the DSZLOG environment variable in AUTOEXEC.BAT then remove it. ProBoard sets this environment variable up automatically when required.

    Click on this anytime, anywhere to Return to Top of Page What alternatives are there to the supplied Local FTP PEX?

    There are currently 2 local FTP protocols available.
    Fe-local PEX by Sarah and Faye Pearson at Fe-line Software and Local EXE by Eddie van Loon at DqP.

    Both have similiar functions except that Fe-local allows multiple wildcards when uploading/downloading. eg, *.zip *.rar.

    Click on this anytime, anywhere to Return to Top of Page What converts HDD format files.bbs into a CDRom format files.bbs?

    SCiUTIL EXE, by Branislav Slantchev at Silicon Creations can do this.

    Click on this anytime, anywhere to Return to Top of Page What utilities are used to manage File Area configuration?

    There are several available as both Freeware and Shareware. PBMove EXE by Robin Heilos is the recommended Shareware one and FileCfg/Pro EXE by Branislav Slantchev is the recommended Freeware one. Both can move, delete and edit file areas as well as a few more things.

    Click on this anytime, anywhere to Return to Top of Page How do I make the File Area headers colored?

    Using an ANSI editor, load your File Area header and use the following <ctrl> codes to make it colorful.

  • Ctrl-A Red
  • Ctrl-B Green
  • Ctrl-C Yellow
  • Ctrl-D Magenta
  • Ctrl-E Blue
  • Ctrl-F Cyan
  • Ctrl-G White
  • Click on this anytime, anywhere to Return to Top of Page How do I skip the CDRom when searching for new files.

    Set the COPY-LOCAL to YES in each CDRom area using ProCfg/File Areas.